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Florida lawmakers need to end outrageous health insurance perk

The following editorial appeared in Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers on Tuesday:

Here’s all you need to know about the $69.2 billion budget approved recently by the Florida House:

■ It continues an overly generous health insurance perk for thousands of state employees, including the governor, Cabinet members and many state lawmakers.

■ Every Republican in the Florida House — as well as each Republican representing a district on the Treasure Coast — that was present voted “yes” for the budget that contains this provision. Every Democrat voted “no.”

It is outrageous and inexcusable that our statewide elected officials would continue to carve out such generous health care benefits for themselves while cutting benefits for the state’s neediest. It is particularly offensive when compared to the plight of average Americans in the private sector, where an employer-sponsored health care plan costs the employee $344 a month for family coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

There will be no such financial hardship — again — next year for select Florida officials. The governor, lawmakers and other powerful elites in the Sunshine State remain eligible for health insurance premiums at significantly reduced rates — $8.34 a month for single coverage; $30 a month for family coverage. (By contrast, rank-and-file state employees pay $50 a month for single coverage and $180 for family coverage.)

This is outrageous and offends the sensibilities of the vast majority of Florida taxpayers, who’ve grown weary of subsidizing generous perks for elected officials. Moreover, it strengthens the perception that those in charge of public coffers won’t hesitate to take care of themselves first when given the opportunity.

Not to be outdone in the “Feather-My-Own-Nest” category, the Florida Senate passed a $70.8 billion budget plan the other day. Just like the House version, the Senate plan contains no increases in health insurance premiums for high-ranking state employees.

This egregious disparity between the “special class” and rank-and-file state workers must end.

Let’s be clear: The state can’t afford to reduce health insurance premiums for rank-and-file employees. But neither can it afford to keep health insurance premiums for the “special class” at such ridiculously low levels.

To his credit, Gov. Rick Scott had recommended making all state employees pay the same premiums for health insurance. Neither chamber heeded the recommendations.

However, a lot of work remains before the House and Senate agree upon — and finalize — the state budget for the next fiscal year. Before the 2012 Legislature is gaveled to a close, the decision-makers in Tallahassee need to do right by Florida taxpayers and eliminate this outlandish perk.